Consumers Energy has achieved its promise to increase its spending with other Michigan businesses by $1 billion over the past 4 years.

The energy provider's announcement came during a supplier summit in downtown Grand Rapids at Grand Valley State University's L.V. Eberhard Center. Muskegon-based Newkirk Electric received the contract that took Consumers Energy over the $1 billion mark.

"We've kept our promise to Michigan by increasing our 'home state' spending with other businesses by $1 billion in the past 4 years, one year ahead of plan. This 'Michigan first' program has helped other businesses add more than 5,000 jobs. They're providing high quality goods and services to help us improve customer satisfaction and upgrade our electric and natural gas delivery," said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of energy resources. Nearly 400 companies throughout Michigan have benefited from contracts.

"When Michigan was recovering from the recession, Consumers Energy stood up and made a difference. We applaud this remarkable achievement. More people are working in our state today because of Pure Michigan Business Connect and supporters like Consumers Energy and major suppliers," said Steve Arwood, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Launched in 2011, Pure Michigan Business Connect is a public-private alliance of the MEDC, state agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations that connects in-state companies to business resources.

Consumers Energy is contracting with a wide variety of companies through Pure Michigan Business Connect. As part of its "Pay it Forward" program the company encourages its Michigan-based suppliers to utilize sub-contractors and suppliers based in the state to help stimulate further job gains and economic growth in the State of Michigan.

The following seven companies were recognized for doing work for Consumers Energy while "paying it forward" by hiring Michigan subcontractors.

• Newkirk Electric (Muskegon) is doing $16 million worth of projects ranging from electric installation to maintenance work of systems at facilities including the J.H. Campbell generating complex and Zeeland generating station.
• Northern Boiler (Muskegon) is performing $17.8 million worth of projects including pipe replacement and sump pump replacement at the Zeeland generating station.
• Pumford Construction (Saginaw) is doing $29.4 million worth of projects including building the new West Branch Service Center and Groveland Service Center.
• Monarch Welding (Bay City) is performing $7.1 million worth of projects including upgrades to the Bay City service center and mechanical support at the Karn/Weadock generating complex.
• Barton Malow Company (Southfield) is doing $162 million worth of projects including building Cross Winds® Energy Park, now in operation.
• deal Contracting LLC (Detroit) is performing $9.6 million worth of projects including an Air Quality Control System project at the Karn/Weadock generating complex.
• CSM Group Inc. (Kalamazoo) is doing $8 million worth of projects including building the Jackson Innovation Center Consumers Energy's $1 billion Pure Michigan commitment is in addition to the more than $2 billion annually it spends in the state to improve customer service, upgrade electric and natural gas delivery, protect and improve Michigan's natural environment, deliver energy efficiency programs and expand renewable energy sources.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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